Know Your State Mizoram – Mizoram GK Notes 2021 (Part 1)

In this write-up, all of us will explore the state of Mizoram which literally means Land of the Hill People. Mizoram is a land of dramatic seas of morning mists that enfold islands of hills and peaks. The state is blessed with a diverse range of geographical features. It has a wide range of religious customs and cultural beauty. We will be rooting about the cultural, geographical and political aspects of the state.

Which state is famous for Bamboo dance? What are the political attributes of Mizoram? From which part of India does Tropic of Cancer passes?

Mizoram is a mountainous state nestling in the southern tip of the north-east region of India. Mizoram is the land of the highlanders who belong to the Mongoloid race, radiates an exotic charm of its own.  There are abundant forests dominated by thick bamboo groves, numerous waterfalls, special landmarks of countless legends and scenic villages of houses built on stilts. Culturally, it is liberated from cast and gender bars.

STATE SYMBOLS OF MIZORAM Mizoram GK Notes:

Let’s study the first aspect of Mizoram i.e. culture

CULTURE Mizoram GK Notes:

Mizo Culture is the culture of the Mizo people. Mizo culture is rooted in the arts and ways of life of Mizo’s in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Mizos are vibrant, highly cultured and sociable people. The Mizo people formed one of the important hill tribes of the Indian subcontinent. Their traditional cherished beliefs, values with various social religious practices as well as culture have given them a distinct Mizo identity.

• Mizo is the official language of Mizoram, along with English.
• The folk music consists of vocals practiced by traditional drums, gong and other native percussion instruments.
• Mizo people have a number of dances which are consummated with few musical instruments like the gong and drum. The different dances of Mizoram are Cheraw dance, Khuallam, Chheihlam, Chailam, Tlanglam, Sarlamkai and Chawnglaizawn.
• Cheraw dance commonly known as Bamboo Dance is a very old traditional dance of the Mizos and the most famous dance form of Mizoram.
• Traditional festivals in Mizoram rotate around the stages of jhum cultivation or the harvest season. The major festivals are Chapchar Kut, Thalfavang Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut.
• Mizoram shares characteristics with other regions of Northeast India and North India. The staple food of most of the Mizo people in the state is rice, with meat and vegetables served on the side, ranging from the homely bai, a simple vegetable stew, non-vegetarian stew with sesame, garlic, onion and herbs.
• Solomon’s Temple in Aizawl, Mizoram is constructed by Kohhran Thianghlim which is translated as ‘The Holy Church’ in English. The church was founded by Dr. L.B. Sailo in 1984 and is the biggest church in Mizoram.

Now let’s plunge about its geography.

GEOGRAPHY Mizoram GK Notes:

Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes situated in the Northeastern part of India. It was known as the Lushai Hills District of Assam before it was renamed the Mizo Hills District in 1954. Mizoram is known for its pristine hills and caves. Mizoram is considered by many as a beautiful place due to its dramatic landscape and pleasant climate. 

• Total Area: 21,081km²

      Area Rank in India: 25^th  

• Total Population: 1,091,014

      Population Rank in India: 28^th

Latitude extension: 21°56’ N to 24°31’ N

Longitudinal extension: 92°16’ E to 93°26’ E

• Mizoram is the fifth smallest state of India with 21,087 km².
• Tropic of Cancer passes through India at Aizawl at 23.5° latitude.
• The state is circumscribed by Myanmar to the east and south, Bangladesh to the west and Tripura to the northwest, Assam to the north, and Manipur to the northeast. 
• Geologically, the Mizo Hills form a part of the Rakhine Mountains which is a series of compact parallel ridges with a north-south axis formed of all Cenozoic rocks like sandstone, limestone and shale.
• Phawngpui Tlang well known as the Blue Mountain located in the southeastern part of the state is the highest peak in Mizoram at 2,210 metres.
• About 76% of the state is covered by forests, 8% is fallows land and 3% is barren and considered to be uncultivable area, while cultivable and sown area constitutes the rest.
• The biggest river in Mizoram is Chhimtuipui. The other most important and useful rivers are the Tlawng, Tut, Tuirial and Tuivawl which flow through the northern territory. The rivers have a gentle drainage gradient in the south.
• Palak Lake situated in Saiha district of southern Mizoram is the biggest in Mizoram and covers over 30 hectares. It is believed that the lake was created as a result of an earthquake or a flood. 

Climate Mizoram GK Notes:

Mizoram has a mild climate, being relatively cool in summer with an average temperature of 20°C to 29 °C but progressively warmer, most probably due to climate change temperatures crosses over 30°C and winter temperatures ranging from 7 to 22 °C. The region is influenced by monsoons, heavily raining from May to September with little rain in the dry and cold season. The climate pattern is moist tropical to moist sub-tropical, with average state rainfall of 254 cm.

Soil Type:

Mizoram has primarily sand-loamy and clay-loamy soil rich in organic carbon and moderately rich in available potash. Due to high rainfall, the soil becomes acidic which ranges from 4.5-5.6 pH.

Now let’s talk about the political aspects of Mizoram.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Mizoram GK Notes:

The basic governmental structure of Mizoram, like that of most other Indian states, is determined by the national constitution of 1950. The governor, appointed by the president of India, is the head of state. He/She is assisted by the chief minister and the Council of Ministers. Presently, the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram is unicameral. The state is divided into 11 administrative districts, each headed by a deputy commissioner. The High Court of the state is situated in Guwahati, Assam and a permanent bench is in Aizawl, Mizoram. Lower courts include district council and village courts. In Mizoram, the judiciary is not separate from the executive branch of government.

Representation of Mizoram in Parliament:

Assembly seats (unicameral): 40

First Governor of Mizoram: Hiteswar Saikia

First Chief Minister of Mizoram: Ch Chhunga

Here comes SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MIZORAM:

• Sibuta LungSibuta Lung is one of the most popular sites in Mizoram. Sibuta Lung is a memorial stone that was erected about 300 years by the Palian chief. The memorial Sibuta Lung offers a story of jilted love and lust for revenge.
• Majority of the tribes residing in Mizoram migrated from neighboring countries around 1500AD.
• Pukzing Cave, Marpara is the largest lake in Mizoram. It is believed that it was carved just out of a Hairpin by a man named Maulzavata.
• Mulu Puk cave in Mizoram which was discovered some years ago was found to be full of heaps of human skeleton.
• In Mizo culture, the groom must pay a certain prize to the bride’s family to seek her in a matrimonial alliance.

Hope this article made most of your facts clear about Mizoram. In our upcoming write-up, we will be discussing about other important aspects of Mizoram.

When did Mizo hill become a part of British India? What are the environmental aspects of Mizoram?Which state of India had faced the Mautam Famine?

In our upcoming blog, the factors corresponding to these questions will be answered surely. If you don’t want to miss it, click here – Know your State ‘Mizoram’ – Part 2. We hope it will help you in the preparation of your competitive exams such SSC 10+2, SSC CGL, CDS, NDA, etc.

Thank You